Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Quincy Owens – Lamp – Dec. 24, 2003 – 3 1/2 stars

Dec. 16. This one-night-only event-installation on the floor of LAMP's main gallery space was comprised of lots of individual paintings by Owens. Approximately 12-inch square pieces sat in a large rectangle spaced about an inch apart from each other, making one big painting or multifaceted mural. His signature minimalist, layered images were executed with an equally discernable, appealing palette that lends a tactile and torn quality to the wide color fields. As panels sold, the rectangle dissolved into what resembled a brick wall being built or taken apart, so it was difficult, if not totally irrelevant, to count the pieces - maybe 80 or more. At $20 each, they were a mix and match, make your own canvas. Patrons indulged in purchasing six segments or two segments to hang together or simply one alone. While this event was a way for Owens to thank the arts community for the breakthrough year he has had in establishing himself as a notable local talent, it also showed the give-and-take quality of community. It conceptually demonstrated how reciprocation is an innate function of how a community progresses and ticks. It was a very smart, well-conceived show of beautiful modern art. owensl353@msn.com. -Mary Lee Pappas